Daily Word Of God
Matthew 26:17-18, 20-25
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied, ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples” ’
When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’
He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel, as Jesus prepares for the Last Supper and predicts His death, His heart is pained by the awareness that one of His Apostles, Judas, who will betray Him.
- Jesus is concerned about the future wellbeing and faith of Judas. He does not want to lose him. This final betrayal is a series and culmination of the many “betrayals” of Judas.
- Jesus will always try to win us over to His Truth and Ways, but finally, He will always respect our freedom to either choose Him or “betray” Him.